Retrofit timber post bracket

ABSTRACT

The repair of foundations formed by pouring concrete about a timber post is greatly simplified by the present invention. A post bracket is provided having a first portion that can be inserted into and mechanically restrained in the recess of an existing foundation, for example a foundation wherein a rotted old post has been removed. The post bracket also has second portion to which a new post can be attached. The post bracket is used by clearing out the old post, inserting the first portion and securing the bracket, and then attaching the post. The inventive bracket and method greatly reduce the time and expense construction compared with the prior art method of replacing foundations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to securing a post to afoundation, and more particularly to a method and device to secure atimber post in an existing concrete foundation.

2. Discussion of the Background

Wood structures are commonly secured to the ground by connecting poststo the ground through a concrete foundation. Thus, for example, onemethod of securing fence posts is by a poured concrete foundation thatsets the post in concrete. Poured concrete foundations are formed bydigging a hole in the ground that is roughly three times the diameter ofthe post and one-third of the post length, filling the hole with severalinches of gravel, positioning and restraining the post in the ground inthe desired final position, pouring concrete into the hole, and thenremoving the post restraints after the concrete has dried. Pouredconcrete foundations improve the structural integrity of the structureand, in the case of timber posts, provide protection of the post andwood structure from earth dwelling insects or fungi.

Even with the added protection of a concrete foundation, the integrityof posts degrades over time, for example as the result of termites ordry rot. Thus, for example, a fence may require replacement due to dryrot. If the existing foundation cannot be reused, prior art techniquescall for the entire fence to be dismantled and rebuilt with the pierslocated at different locations. Alternatively the piers are removed,disposed of, and re-poured to allow fence panels to be reused.

An example of a post needing replacement is illustrated in FIG. 1, whichshows a cut-way of a prior art post and poured concrete foundation. PostP typically has a square cross section W on a side. Fence posts, forexample, are typically constructed using 4″×4″ posts, which have anactual cross-section that measures W=3½ inches on a side. Post P extendsabove a surface S above ground G, and is embedded a depth D below thesurface in a recess R of a concrete foundation F. The support offoundation F is provided by the extension of the foundation by a depth Ybelow the bottom of post P, and has a radius X at surface S that isseveral times the width W. When post P is damaged, there are severalprior art options for providing a foundation for a new structure. If thedamage to post P is sufficiently far above surface S, it may be possibleto remove damaged portions of the wood from the post and splice anextension to the post remaining in the foundation. If the damage isclose to or below surface S, or if it is not desirable or possible tosplice an extension to the post, then post P and foundation remaining Fare typically removed, and a new foundation is poured about a newsupport post.

While the demolition and replacement of a foundation is effective, thereare several problems with this method. First, the process is timeconsuming. The replacement of the foundation requires time to remove anddispose of the old foundation, and additional time to set a replacementpost in concrete. Second, there may be space limitation near the fenceposts that make removal and replacement problematic. For example,construction or plants added after the original post was put in placemay make it difficult to set a post in the old position.

Thus there is a need in the art for a method and apparatus that permitsfor the easy replacement of damaged support posts. Such a method andapparatus should be easy to implement, should not be significantly moreexpensive that standard demolition and disposal techniques, and shouldbe compatible with conventional construction materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art byproviding an apparatus and method for using the existing concretefoundation when repairing a poured concrete post foundation. Theinventive apparatus and method requires less time and is less expensivethan those available in the prior art.

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a post bracket thatallows for the retrofitting of a new post into the recess of thefoundation of an old post. In one embodiment of the present invention,the post bracket has a timber receiving portion to accept a new post andfoundation support portion for insertion and mechanical securing to therecess of the foundation.

It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a bracket forattaching a timber post to a recess of a foundation including a firstportion for attaching to the timber post and a second portion having atleast one pair of outwards facing, and a second portion includingopposed surfaces having a first spacing and a mechanism to increase thespacing of the surfaces. In one embodiment of the present invention, thefirst portion includes two opposing surface and at least one pair ofholes through the opposing surfaces, thus providing for attachment ofthe timber post. In another embodiment of the present invention, each ofthe opposed surfaces is a portion of an elongated member having a firstend proximal the first portion and a second end. The mechanism includesa first plate having an internally threaded hole and a width greaterthan the first spacing, a second plate rigidly connected to the secondportion proximal the first portion and having a hole, and a bolt havinga head supported on the second plate and a body passing through thesecond plate and threadably attached to the first plate. The rotation ofthe bolt to decrease the spacing between the first and second platesincreases the spacing of the surfaces. Preferably, the second portion isadapted to fit within the shape of a standard size timber post, such asa 4″×4″ post.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a bracketfor attaching a timber post to a recess of a foundation, where thebracket includes a first portion for attaching to the timber post, and asecond portion including at least one pair of outwards facing, opposedmembers having a first end proximal the first portion and a second end,and a first spacing at the a first end proximal the first portion, and amechanism to increase the spacing between the at least one pair ofopposed members.

It is one aspect of the present invention to provide a bracket forattaching a timber post to a recess of a foundation, where the bracketincludes a first portion for attaching the timber post, and a secondportion including an elongate portion attached to the first portion andhaving a shape to allow acceptance by the recess with the first portionprotruding above the recess, and a mechanism to move at least a portionof the accepted elongate portion against the recess. The elongateportion, when moved, provides a resistive force to the movement of theconnector from the recess.

It is yet another aspect of the present invention to provide a method ofmounting a post in an existing poured concrete foundation using a postbracket having a timber receiving portion and a foundation securingportion. The method includes placing the foundation receiving portion ofthe post bracket in the recess, mechanically securing the foundationreceiving portion in the recess, and mounting the post to the timberreceiving portion of the post bracket. Additionally the method includesfirst exposing the recess of the existing foundation.

These features together with the various ancillary provisions andfeatures which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from thefollowing detailed description, are attained by the exercise device ofthe present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown withreference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 is a perspective cut-way view of a prior art post and pouredconcrete foundation;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of one embodiment post bracketattaching a post to a foundation;

FIGS. 3A-5 are views of one embodiment post bracket of the presentinvention, where FIG. 3A is a first side view, FIG. 3B is a second sideview; FIG. 4 is a top view and FIG. 5 is a bottom view;

FIGS. 6-9 are cross-sectional views of one embodiment post bracket ofthe present invention, where FIG. 6 is a side sectional view 6-6 of FIG.3A, FIG. 7 is a side sectional view 7-7 of FIG. 3B, and FIGS. 8 and 9are a top sectional views 8-8 and 9-9, respectively, of FIG. 3B;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are side views of the elongate member corresponding tothe views of FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively;

FIG. 11 is a top view of the upper foundation plate;

FIGS. 12A and 12B are side views of the cap corresponding to the viewsof FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively;

FIG. 13 is a detail 13-13 from FIG. 6;

FIGS. 14A-14E are views of a channel used to form the elongate member,where FIGS. 14A and 14B are orthogonal side views, and FIG. 14C is a topview and FIG. 14D is a bottom view, and FIG. 14E shows the channel cutand folded;

FIGS. 15A and 15B are sectional views 6-6 and 7-7, respectively, showingthe deformation of the foundation support portion after a firsttightening of the bolt;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are sectional views 6-6 and 7-7, respectively, showingthe deformation of the foundation support portion after a furthertightening of the bolt; and

FIGS. 17A-17F are sectional side views illustrating one method of usingthe post bracket of the present invention, where FIG. 17A shows anexisting foundation prepared for the post bracket, FIG. 17B shows thefoundation support portion fit within the foundation recess, FIG. 17Cshows the tightening of the bolt to secure the post bracket in thefoundation, FIG. 17D shows the cap placed on the plate, FIG. 17E showsthe replacement post placed within the timber receiving portion; andFIG. 17F shows the replacement post secured to the existing foundation.

Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certaincomponents, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbolscommon to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects orfeatures shown therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a device and method for repairing damagedfoundations formed by setting a post with concrete without the need forreplacing existing concrete foundations or piers. Thus, for example, ifan existing concrete foundation is secure in the ground, the presentinvention provides a device and method for repairing the foundationprior to replacing a structure without the necessity of removing andreplacing the concrete. In particular, the present invention provides apost bracket having a first portion that can be inserted into the spacepreviously occupied by the old timber post previously poured foundationand a second portion that can secure a new timber post.

As one example of a post bracket that is not meant to limit the scope ofthe present invention, a user has need to replace a post P from a priorart concrete foundation F as illustrated in FIG. 1, where, importantly,foundation F is structurally sound. For illustrative purposed, FIG. 2 isa cross-sectional side view of an embodiment of post bracket 200 of thepresent invention after a new, replacement post P′ is secured in theexisting foundation F. Post bracket 200 includes a first portion, alsoreferred to herein as a timber receiving portion 210 and a secondportion, also referred to herein as a foundation support portion 220. Asis described subsequently, one use of post bracket 200 to replace post Pincludes removing the post to expose recess R, inserting andmechanically securing foundation support portion 220 of the post bracketinto the recess, and attaching a new post P′ to timber receiving portion210 of the post bracket. In one embodiment of the present invention,foundation support portion 220 has a first configuration that allows theportion to be inserted into recess R and a second configuration thatforces the sides of the portion outwards and against the recess tosecure the post bracket in the foundation. It is preferred thatstructural components of post bracket 200 are constructed of galvanizedsteel, stainless steel, or reinforced aluminum of sufficient thicknessand dimension to provide structural support. Specific embodiments ofpost bracket 200, which are not meant to limit the scope of the presentinvention, provide a device for performing the functions of accepting atimber post, including but not limited to a fence post, and securing thepost bracket into a foundation. The dimensions and shapes provided arefor illustrative purposes and are not meant to limit the scope of thepresent invention.

Post bracket 200 is shown in greater tail in FIGS. 3-9, where FIG. 3A isa first side view of the post bracket, FIG. 3B is a second side view ofthe post bracket that is orthogonal to the view of FIG. 3A, FIG. 4 is atop view of the post bracket, FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the postbracket, FIGS. 6 and 7 are sectional side views of FIGS. 3A and 3B,respectively, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are sectional top views of FIG. 3B. Withreference to FIGS. 3A and 6, post bracket 200 includes a longitudinalelongate member 202 that extends from a first end 201 to a second end223, an upper foundation plate 205, a cap 207 adapted to fit on theplate and having a cap surface 209, a lower foundation plate 230, and abolt 240 that spans the distance from the upper to lower foundationplates. Further illustrations of post bracket 200 are shown in FIGS. 10Aand 10B as two side views of elongate member 202 corresponding to theviews of FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, FIG. 11 as a top view of plate205, FIGS. 12A and 12B as two side view of cap 207 corresponding to theviews of FIGS. 3A and 3B, respectively, and FIG. 13 as a detail of plate230 from FIG. 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, and 7, timber receiving portion 210 includes apair of opposing sides 215 of elongate member 202 having a length A3from first end 201 to cap surface 209 and a width of A2. Sides 215,indicated individually as side 215 a and 215 b, are separated by adistance A1 and each have timber mounting holes 217 a and 217 b that arealigned across sides 215. Timber receiving portion 210 is preferablysized to receive a length A3 of a timber post of a specific size orrange, such as standard post sizes between sides 215, as shown in FIG.2, for example. Importantly, as described subsequently, the separationof sides 215 and placement of holes 217 allow a timber post of a givensize to be inserted and attached to the pair of sides 215, for exampleby drilling holes through an inserted post aligned with the holes andsecuring the post to the post bracket with bolts. Sides 215 can eitherbe straight or may have a slight inwards bow along their length to helprestrain a received post.

Thus, for example, a timber receiving portion adapted to accept anominal 4″×4″ timber post, which has an actual dimension of 3½ inches ona side, has a spacing A1 that is slightly larger than 3½ inches, has awidth A2 that is preferably less than a side of the 4×4, for examplefrom 2 inches to 3 inches in width, and a length A3 that is sufficientlylong to allow 2 or more holes with a spacing approximately equal to thewidth of the post. Thus, for example A3 is preferably from 6 to 8 incheslong, having holes 217 to accept a half inch bolt and spacedapproximately 4 inches apart. It is also preferred that sides 215 areformed from galvanized steel having a thickness of from ⅛ inch to ¼inch, and more preferably that the thickness be 3/16 inches.

In an alternative embodiment of timber receiving portion 210, not shown,holes 217 are arranged in other matching patterns on opposing sides 215to facilitate the attachment of a post to post bracket 200, and inanother alternative embodiment, two pair of opposing sides are providedto restrain an inserted post on all four sides.

Support and spacing for sides 215 and cap 207 are provided by plate 205.As shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, plate 205 has a pair of slots 701 spaced adistance A1 and each sized to accept one of the pair of sides 215 byhaving a length that is slightly larger than width A2 and a widthslightly larger than the thickness of sides 215. Cap 207, as shown inFIGS. 12A and 12B, has a pair of mutually opposing sides 601 attached totransverse cap surface 209 and having a wide portion 1201 of length Hand a narrow portion 1203. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 11,plate 205 has a pair of slots 603. The pair of narrow portions 1303 fitwithin slots 603 to support cap 207 on the plate with spacing H. Plate205 is preferably formed from a steel plate, for example a plate 4¼ inchsquare and 3/16 inch thick.

As is shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, 5, 6, and 7, elongate member 202 extendsfrom plate 205 through a shoulder 221 a distance C2 to second end 223.Foundation support portion 220 includes four surfaces 225 of elongatemember 202 that form two pairs of mutually opposing and outwards facingsurfaces 225 a and 226 b, as shown in FIG. 5, and that each extend froma portion having a size W2×W2, as indicated in FIG. 8, and have a lengthC1 from a plane 227 to second end 223. The cross-sectional shape ofsides 215 and elongate member 202 from shoulder 221 to second end 223 isbound within a square having sides W1, as is shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 9,and the thickness of elongate member 202 at surfaces 225 is t as isshown in FIG. 13. It is important that the cross-section of foundationsupport portion 220 fits than the width W of the intended recess R andthat the length C2 is less than the length D. It is preferable that thedifference between W and W1 be great enough so that foundation supportportion 220 easily fits within recess R.

Foundation support portion 220 also includes, as is shown in FIG. 6,bolt 240 that has a head 611, a body 613 that is at least partiallythreaded, and an end 241. As is shown in FIGS. 6 and 11, plate 205 has ahole 605 that accepts body 613 while providing support for head 611. Thedistance H of cap 207 is selected to allow the cap to sit on plate 205and not rest on head 611. Body 613 is also threadably connected to plate230, as is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 13. Plate 230 has a firstside 231 facing away from plate 205 and an opposing side 233 facing theplate. A threaded nut 607 is attached to side 233, preferably bywelding, and is aligned with a hole 609 in plate 230. A threaded portionof body 613 threadably engages nut 607. Rotation of head 611 can thusplace bolt 240 in tension and pull plate 230 towards plate 205. It ispreferred that bolt 240 is a galvanized course thread ¾ inch ×6 inchbolt. The diameter of holes 605 and 609 and the threads of nut 607 arechosen to match bolt 240. For example, holes 605 and 609 sized toreceive a ¾ inch bolt have diameters of ⅞ inch.

FIG. 13 also shows detail of edges 1301 and 1303 of plate 230. Plate 230is preferably formed from a steel plate, for example a U×U square, 3/16inch thick plate. Edge 1301 is formed from the side of the plate and isperpendicular to side 231, and edge 1303 is angled relative to edge 1301and side 233. Preferably edge 1303 form an angle of 45 degrees relativeto edge 1301 and side 233, and plate 230 is sized such that ends 223contact edge 1303. Preferably, as described below, the dimensions W1,W2, U, and t are selected relative to W to permit foundation supportportion 220 to easily be inserted into recess R, and for the geometry tobe changed by rotating bolt 240 to secure the

Before discussing methods of using post bracket 200, one method formanufacturing elongate member 202 is now discussed with reference toFIGS. 14A-14E, where FIGS. 14A and 14B are orthogonal side views of thesteel channel, and FIG. 14C is a top view and FIG. 14D is a bottom viewof the channel, and FIG. 14E shows the channel cut and folded. Steelchannel 1400 is a 14 inch length of 3 inch by 3 inch channel (that is,W2=3 inches) having a wall thickness of 3/16 inches. FIGS. 14A-1D havemarks indicating cuts and folds used to produce elongate member 202.Lines 1401, 1403, 1405, and 1407 show cuts to the corners of channel1400 that form surfaces 225. Lines 1409 and 1411 show cuts to thecorners and sides of channel 1400 that produce planar sides 215. Lines1413 and 1415 indicate fold lines used to form shoulder 211. FIG. 14Eshows the part resulting from the cuts and folds of FIGS. 14A-14D thatcan subsequently be used to form elongate member 202. FIG. 14E alsoshows a slight bowing of the ends 223. This bowing can result from therelease of stress from within channel 1400 when it is cut. It isimportant that the cross section of the resulting channel fit within adesired cross-sectional area, for example a square having sides W.

Post bracket 200 includes a mechanism for expanding the outer dimensionof the cross-section of foundation support portion 220. Specifically,post bracket 200 has an initial configuration, shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B,where plate 230 is beyond ends 223, where the configuration allowsfoundation support portion 220 to fits within a recess of size W. Whenbolt 240 is rotated in a direction that reduces the spacing betweenplate 230 and plate 205, plate 230 moves upwards along elongated member202, increasing the spacing of surfaces 225. This movement results in adeformation of surfaces 225, specifically of a bending of each side fromposition. An illustration of the response of post bracket 200 to atightening of bolt 240 relative to that of FIGS. 6 and 7 is illustratedin a first set of FIGS. 15A and 15B, where the bolt is turned a firstamount, resulting in the displacement of plate by a distance Z1 to theposition shown as plate 230 a. As noted previously, the angled edge 1303of plate 230 is positioned to contact ends 223. As a result of thedisplacement of plate 230, surfaces 225 bend outwards from plane 227,having a dimension W2 as shown in FIG. 8, and continue to contact eitheredge 1301 or 1303, with a separation that increases with thedisplacement of the plate. As illustrated in FIGS. 15A and 15B, ends 223are displaced by a distance Q1, to a total separation of W.

The further tightening of bolt 240 is shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, wherethe position of the plate in FIGS. 6 and 7 is indicated as the phantomplate 230. In FIGS. 16A and 16B, bolt 240 is turned a greater amount,resulting in the displacement of plate by a distance Z2 as indicated byplate 230 b. As a result of the displacement of the plate, surfaces 225bend from plane 227 outwards a greater distance. The lateraldisplacement of surfaces 225, indicated as a distance Q2, increases thespacing between opposing ends 233 to a distance greater than W. If postbracket 200 were in a recess of size W, foundation support portion 220would be laterally expanding to secure the post bracket in the recess.

Importantly, the rotation of bolt 240 thus causes plate 230 to travelalong elongated member 202 adjacent surfaces 225 and for ends 223 tocorrespondingly expand outward. Preferably, width W is greater thanwidth W1, permitting foundation support portion 220 to be inserted intorecess R, the combined width of plate 230 and the thickness of elongatedmember 202 adjacent sides 225 (that is, U+2t) is less than the width Wto permit plate 230 to traverse the foundation support portion while itis inserted in the recess, and the dimensions U, t, W2, and C1 allow theedges of the foundation support portion to extends at least to the edgesof the recess.

Thus, for example, foundation support portion 220 that is sized forreplacement of a 4″×4″ post must be able to fit within the W=3½ inchsquare recess R that was formed by the pouring of concrete about thepost. A value of W1 from 3 to 3¼ inches provides adequate space forinserting foundation support portion 220 into recess R. It is alsopreferred that the length C2 is from 5 to 8 inches, preferably 6 inches,and that the length C1 is approximately 5 inches, and t is from ⅛ inchto ¼ inch, and more preferably t= 3/16 inches. In addition, the combinedwidth of plate 230 and the thickness of elongated member 202 adjacentsurfaces 225 (U+2t) must be greater than W (for a 4″×4″ postreplacement, a preferred value of W2 is 3 inches, U is 3 inches, and tis 3/16 inches—thus U+2t=3⅜ inches, which is between W and W1). In theexample of FIGS. 15A and 15B, ends 233 have a separation that is greaterthan W1 and less than W, while in FIGS. 16A and 16B ends 223 have aseparation greater than W. The portion of elongated member 202 adjacentsurface 225 from the displaced plate 230 to ends 223 can act as springwhen placed in a recess of dimension W.

One method of using post bracket 200 to secure a post in a preexistingfoundation using a post bracket of the present invention is shown withreference to the sectional side views of FIG. 17A-17F. First, FIG. 17Ashows an existing foundation is prepared for the post bracket. This isaccomplished by removing post P the post from foundation F which may beaccomplished, for example, by cutting the post flush with the foundationwith a reciprocating say and corresponding 8 inch or longer wood blade,and then using a 3 inch drill bit such as a masonry drill bit and aheavy duty drill to remove the timber to a depth of 6½ inch, and finallyremoving the remaining material with a chisel. Next, foundation supportportion 220 is placed with recess R, as shown in FIG. 17B. Next, asshown in FIG. 17C, bolt 240 is tightened, resulting in the movement ofplate 230 to position 230 b. As illustrated in FIGS. 16A and 16B, thisamount of tightening expands unconstrained ends 223 to a separationgreater than the recess width W. Since foundation support portion 220 iswithin recess R, the displacement of plate to position 230 b forcessurfaces 225 against recess R, securing post bracket 200 in foundationF. During the tightening of bolt 240, the position and orientation ofpost bracket 200 can be adjusted and, if the position is not quitecorrect, the bolt can be loosened and the position can be furtheradjusted. Next, in FIG. 17D, cap 207 is placed over bolt head 611,providing a horizontal surface 207. A new post P is next placed on topof surface 207 and within timber receiving portion 210 (FIG. 17E).Lastly, holes H1 and H2 are drilled through holes 217 and post P1 andbolts B1 and B2 are used to secure the post to post bracket 200.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases“in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughoutthis specification are not necessarily all referring to the sameembodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures orcharacteristics may be combined or altered in any suitable manner, aswould be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from thisdisclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly, it should be appreciated that in the above description ofexemplary embodiments of the invention, various features of theinvention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure,or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosureand aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventiveaspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than allfeatures of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claimsfollowing the Detailed Description are hereby expressly incorporatedinto this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as aseparate embodiment of this invention.

Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be thepreferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art willrecognize that other and further modifications may be made theretowithout departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intendedto claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope ofthe invention. For example, post bracket 200 can be adapted to accepttimber of any size and to fit with a recess of any size. Thus the deviceand method has been described with reference to use with 4″×4″ timberposts. The device and methods are easily modified for use with 3″×3″,4″×6″, and 6″×6″ posts by adjusting the dimensions of the deviceaccordingly. Timber support portion 210 can include devices other thanbolts to secure a post, and can also present surfaces to the post thatrestrict movement, such as a rough surface. Foundation support portion220 can provide for other types of mechanical restraints within arecess. Thus, for example, foundation support portion can provide forlateral expansion to the sides of the recess by a bolt that expands ascissor-like expandable mechanism, or by a mechanism that moves oneside. In addition, the timber support portion and foundation supportportion may be formed from separate pieces that are welded or otherwisejoined together. Alternatively, the functions of the timber supportportion and the foundation support portions can have overlappingcomponents or pieces to any extends. Steps for the use of the postbracket may be added, deleted, or rearranged to methods described withinthe scope of the present invention.

1. A bracket for attaching a timber post to a foundation recesscomprising: a first portion for attachment to the timber post; and asecond portion including at least one pair of outwards facing, opposedsurfaces having a first spacing, and a mechanism to increase the spacingof said opposed surfaces.
 2. The bracket of claim 1, wherein said firstportion includes two opposing surface and at least one pair of holesthrough said opposing surfaces.
 3. The bracket of claim 1, wherein eachof said at least one pair of opposed surfaces is a portion of anelongated member having a first end proximal said first portion and asecond end, and wherein said mechanism includes a first plate having aninternally threaded hole and a width greater than said first spacing, asecond plate rigidly connected to said second portion proximal saidfirst portion and having a hole, and a bolt having a head supported onsaid second plate and a body passing through said second plate andthreadably attached to said first plate, where the rotation of said boltto decrease the spacing between said first plate and said second plateincreases the spacing of said surfaces.
 4. The bracket of claim 1,wherein the outer surface of said second portion having said firstspacing is bound by an elongated square extending away from said firstportion.
 5. The bracket of claim 4, wherein said square is approximately3½ inches on a side.
 6. A bracket for attaching a timber post to afoundation recess having inwardly facing walls, said bracket comprising:a first portion for attachment to the timber post; and a second portionincluding at least one pair of outwards facing, opposed members having afirst end proximal said first portion and a second end, and having afirst spacing at said a first end proximal said first portion, wheresaid first spacing is less than the distance between said inwardlyfacing walls, and a mechanism to increase the spacing between said atleast one pair of opposed members.
 7. The bracket of claim 5, whereinsaid first portion includes two opposing surface and at least one pairof holes through said opposing surfaces.
 8. The bracket of claim 5,wherein said mechanism includes a first plate having an internallythreaded hole and a width greater than said first spacing, a secondplate rigidly connected to said second portion proximal said firstportion and having a hole, and a bolt having a head supported on saidsecond plate and a body passing through said second plate and threadablyattached to said first plate, where the rotation of said bolt todecrease the spacing between said first plate and said second plateincreases the spacing of said surfaces.
 9. The bracket of claim 5,wherein the outer surface of said second portion having said firstspacing is bound by an elongated square extending away from said firstportion.
 10. The bracket of claim 9, wherein said square isapproximately 3½ inches on a side.
 11. A bracket for attaching a timberpost to a recess of a foundation comprising: a first portion forattachment to the timber post; and a second portion including anelongate portion attached to said first portion and having a shape toallow acceptance by the recess with said first portion protruding abovesaid recess, and a mechanism to move at least a portion of said acceptedelongate portion against said recess, where said moved elongate portionof provides a resistive force to the movement of said connector fromsaid recess.
 12. The bracket of claim 11, wherein said first portionincludes two opposing surface and at least one pair of holes throughsaid opposing surfaces.
 13. The bracket of claim 11, wherein saidmechanism includes a first plate having an internally threaded hole anda width greater than said first spacing, a second plate rigidlyconnected to said second portion proximal said first portion and havinga hole, and a bolt having a head supported on said second plate and abody passing through said second plate and threadably attached to saidfirst plate, where the rotation of said bolt to decrease the spacingbetween said first plate and said second plate increases the spacing ofsaid surfaces.
 14. The bracket of claim 11, wherein said recess has asquare cross-sectional shape.
 15. The bracket of claim 14, wherein saidsquare is approximately 3½ inches on a side.
 16. A method of mounting apost in an existing poured concrete foundation using a post brackethaving a timber receiving portion and a foundation securing portion,said method comprising: placing the foundation receiving portion of thepost bracket in the recess; mechanically securing the foundationreceiving portion in the recess; and mounting the post to the timberreceiving portion of the post bracket.
 17. The method of claim 16,further including, first exposing the recess of the existing foundation.